Watford boss denies Everton contact ahead of Merseyside trip

Watford manager Marco Silva has denied an approach from Everton to become their new manager ahead of the Hornets’ trip to Goodison Park on Sunday.

Everton are on the market for a new head coach after sacking Ronald Koeman at the end of October and Silva has been tipped as one of several managers in the running for the vacant post on Merseyside.

The Portuguese has made a stunning impression since becoming a Premier League manager earlier this year and has only enhanced his reputation since swapping Hull for Watford over the summer.

Watford will have their hands full to keep hold of the talented 40-year-old, but Silva insists there has been no approach from Sunday’s opponents.

“Nobody has approached me and I am staying focused on the next match,” The Daily Mail quote Silva as saying. “We need to respect our club, our opponent and our sole focus is to prepare our players for the match on Sunday, and do the best we can to win.

“They will pay at home. They are strong and they want to change the situation they are in. But regarding these rumours, now is not the moment to talk about them.”

Watford have won 67% of their Premier League points this season away from home and Silva will be looking to strengthen the club’s position in the top half of the table with three points away to relegation strugglers Everton. 

The Toffees have only won two of their opening 10 Premier League matches and are currently second from bottom in the table with eight points.